Channel District

Although technically downtown, Channelside is often thought to be adjacent to the main CBD. This district is the location for many prominent downtown venues. The Tampa Convention Center, St. Pete Times Forum, and the Florida Aquarium are located in the Channel District. Twin 30 story condos were completed in 2007, called the Towers at Channelside.[5] Many locals know the Channel District (often abbreviated to Channelside in local parlance) for its nightlife. The Channelside Bay Plaza, which has views of the downtown skyline, is located in the middle of the district.[6] Entrepreuners have founded companies that operate NEVs to shuttle clubgoers to/from Channelside and Tampa's other core districts: Hyde Park, SoHo, Downtown, and Ybor City.[7][8]

Future developments

Completed section of the Riverwalk with St. Pete Times Forum in the background

The downtown area is undergoing a large transformation to be mostly completed in time for the hosting of the Super Bowl in 2009 with over 43 condo, hotel and mixed-use developments proposed/approved/under construction as of October 2005.[9] An earlier list by the city of Tampa includes large developments that have been approved and/or are under construction.[10]

Downtown is also making strides to become a 24-hour neighborhood, with many new restaurants, bars and other establishments opening in recent years. [6][7]

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Riverwalk

Mayor Pam Iorio has championed the building of a riverwalk downtown. This would act as a park to gather next to the river, as a breezeway for downtown, as well as provide aesthetic appeal. There is also potential for the riverwalk to act as a media park.[11] Most of the riverwalk is slated for completion around 2010; as of September 2009 it is 41% complete with 100% of it seeing some progress. [8] The section of the riverwalk that was to adjoin the Trump Tower Tampa is currently being re-aligned to go behind the lot just off of the river. At its northernmost end it will snake into the Tampa Heights neighborhood. Channelside Bay Plaza is the other endpoint.[12][13]Water taxis are also being considered to service various stops along the riverwalk and the downtown area as well as further up the Hillsborough River.[14] Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park had its ribbon cutting on January 25th 2010. [9]